• The Associated Press, Sunday, August 16, 2009 10:15 PM

The U.S. Olympic committee has decided that it will secure the full support and cooperation of the IOC before moving forward with its Olympic TV Network. The IOC criticized the USOC for "unilaterally" announcing the launch of the TV network on July 8, saying it raised complex legal questions and could jeopardize relations with Olympic broadcaster NBC.

Delaying things is a no-lose proposition for the USOC, which still had no definite startup date, no programming and not enough cable carriers committed to airing the network despite its deal with Comcast. Resolving the TV deal also helps with the plan to temporarily set aside the contentious issue of the USOC's share of Olympic revenues.

Playing a role in these discussions is NBC, which holds the U.S. broadcast rights through the 2012 London Olympics and was miffed at the USOC's plans to start a network that could eventually be competition. The USOC tried to cut a deal with NBC and its cable partner, Universal Sports, over the new network but when negotiations broke down, a deal with Comcast was struck.

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